Where to start
Tell yourself
Sometimes the first person survivors need to disclose to is themselves. Too often survivors can internalise messages that it wasn’t "so bad” or was somehow their fault.
Share with someone you trust
This is never easy but consider sharing with a friend, a personal tutor, or your residence advisor if you live on-campus. Let them know what you need.
Seek medical care
Even if there are no obvious injuries or you don’t want to report the assault to the police, it is important to seek medical attention if the assault just happened.
We can help you with that process - even accompanying you to the local Sexual Assault Response Centre (SARC). Even if you do not want to report the incident to the police, SARCs can collect forensic evidence that can be used at a later date, should you change your mind. You are under no presssure to do this, the decision is yours.
Connect with support
You can access support from the Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) Team. We are here to listen to you, and will help you access resources and make an informed decision about next steps - if and when you choose to.
You can report any incident of Sexual Misconduct and Violence, whether recent or historical, whether this happened to you whilst at Staffordshire University or before coming to university with contact details or anonymously through Report + Support as well as accessing infomation about support available externally to the university.
How can the Sexual Violence Liasion Officer (SVLO) Team help?
You have access to our support regardless if the sexual misconduct or violence happened on or off-campus, or if you were subjected to sexual misconduct or violence before you came to Staffordshire University. With your consent, we can help you with:
- Referrals to counselling and medical services
- Academic and accommodation adjustments
- Understanding the reporting options available to you
- Navigating systems and resources within the university and the community
People react and deal with sexual violence in many different ways. Any way you choose to proceed will be fully respected and our team will support you on whatever path works best for you. We will handle your disclosure with confidentiality and will respect any decisions you make - we're here to listen and support you.
Our Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLO's) are specially trained to deal with these situations and will treat each case with sensitivity and respect, they are here to support students who have experienced sexual violence, whether it is recent or historic
An SVLO can listen and discuss the options available to you through external services and within the University. Your appointed SVLO can also liaise with these external services and university staff where required and will provide ongoing 'wrap around' care and support.
Procedures are in place to manage any risk to yourself or other members of the university community.
If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 for emergency services.
If you are on campus contact the Campus Safety and Security Service.
You can get in touch with our security control room by telephone or email: